The 20 Best and Most Empowering Kelly Clarkson Songs
#8 will make you belt it out in the shower.
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Kelly Clarkson will once again host the 2019 Billboard Awards on May 1, which she promised will "unforgettable." The 36-year-old Texas native knows a thing or two about Billboard charts, boasting 27 hits on the Hot 100 chart. From Clarkson's debut single "A Moment Like This" to "Because of You," here are 20 of the best songs by The Voice judge that would make you want to press that red button and turn your chair around.
"Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)"
The ultimate self-empowerment anthem, "Stronger" is all about recovering and bouncing back from a difficult situation, like heartbreak. In 2012, the hit song spent three weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it Clarkson's longest-running number-one single.
"A Moment Like This"
"A Moment Like This" was Clarkson's debut song after winning season 1 of American Idol in 2002. While the song follows her journey as a contestant, it also chronicles what it feels like when something you've always wished for finally comes true.
"The Trouble With Love Is"
In this 2003 soul-tinged ballad, you can clearly hear the influence Aretha Franklin has on Clarkson as a singer. The touching lyrics find Clarkson breaking down the ups and downs of being in love. Fittingly, the song also appears on the Love Actually soundtrack.
"Behind These Hazel Eyes"
Released from the Breakaway album, here's what Clarkson told Entertainment Weekly about the 2004 pop song: "'Hazel Eyes'" is about the dipstick who completely screwed up and now is unhappy and you’re happy. And then you’re just shouting praises at the fact that he’s miserable in "'Since U Been Gone.'"
"Because of You"
"Because of You" was the third single from Clarkson's second album, Breakaway. She wrote the emotional ballad when she was 16, recalling the pain she felt from her parents' divorce. In 2007, country legend Reba McEntire recorded a cover of the song with Clarkson.
"Breakaway"
This inspirational song is all about taking risks and going after what you want, in spit of fears and setbacks. The 2004 title track is from the eponymous Breakaway album, and it was also featured on The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement soundtrack.
"Miss Independent"
We'll let the lyrics for Clarkson's 2003 single from her debut album, Thankful, speak for themselves: "Miss independent. Miss self-sufficient. Miss keep your distance. Miss unafraid. Miss out of my way—Miss on her own. Miss almost grown. Miss never let a man help her off her throne."
"My Life Would Suck Without You"
"My Life Would Suck Without You" is the first single from Clarkson's fourth studio project, All I Ever Wanted. After a live performance of the song on Idol in 2009, Clarkson revealed to Ryan Seacrest that she loved the message of the song about two dysfunctional people who are perfect for each other. "I probably will be like that in a relationship someday," Clarkson joked.
"Piece by Piece"
"Piece by Piece" is the 2015 title track from Clarkson's sixth project of the same name. It could be considered the follow-up to "Because of You," with Clarkson picking up the pieces after her father left. But unlike the aforementioned bruising ballad, "Piece by Piece" is about Clarkson finding her happy ending in her husband, Brandon Blackstock, who helped her put her life back together.
"Invincible"
Okay, so most of us don't have Clarkson's vocal chops. But that doesn't mean you won't feel powerful and virtually indestructible when singing along to this lyrical war cry. "Towards the end of 'Invincible,' it was like I went to church," Clarkson explained to Billboard. "I love that song— that message is so empowering, and that message is so raw."
"Already Gone"
Though the heartfelt song was met with criticism in 2009, due to its similarities to Beyoncé's hit single, "Halo," it's still praised by Clarkson's fans for its relatable lyrics and as one of her most vocally impressive songs off the All I Ever Wanted album.
"Mr. Know It All"
This top-10 hit was the lead single from Clarkson's 2011 album, Stronger. If there's anyone in your life who thinks they know better than you do, this is the perfect song to blast in response: "Can't nobody tell me how it's gonna be. Nobody gonna make a fool outta me, baby. You should know that I lead, not follow." Very well put, Clarkson.
"Never Again"
Clarkson shows off her rock 'n' roll side in the 2007 lead single from her third studio effort, My December. The aggressive track borrows some inspiration from Clarkson's past relationship with Evanescence band member David Hodges. And while "Never Again" evokes the same hurt and resentment as "Since U Been Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes," this is Clarkson at her angriest and, frankly, most brilliant.
"Heartbeat Song"
Even better than the fun vibes of this 2015 dance song is the sweet backstory behind it. It's the first song Clarkson released after having her daughter River Rose Blackstock. She told radio legend Elvis Duran during an interview on The Z100 Morning Show that the beat of the song is "actually River’s heartbeat slowed down from when she was in my tummy!"
"Love So Soft"
With this 2017 lead single from Clarkson's eighth album, Meaning of Life, she taps into a more jazz-influenced, soul-infused sound. It's a welcomed deterrent from Clarkson's usual pop songs and ballads, but it still positions Clarkson as the strong and confident woman fans have grown accustomed to throughout her music career.
"Catch My Breath"
While Clarkson has plenty of positive, upbeat songs to choose from, this 2012 gem is among her best in the uplifting category. Here, Clarkson sings about finding the beauty and meaning in everyday things. It's all about living in the moment, which is why it deserves a spot on your playlist.
"I Do Not Hook Up"
The name of this 2009 song gives its message away. Co-written by pop star Katy Perry, Clarkson boldly sings about looking for a partner, not a fleeting, one-night stand. "So if you want me, I don't come cheap," she says in the chorus. "Keep your hand in my hand and your heart on your sleeve."
"Dark Side"
The haunting third single from Stronger sees Clarkson questioning whether she'll ever be loved and accepted for who she truly is. "I like 'Dark Side' because it’s still got a beat to it," Clarkson told Entertainment Weekly. "It’s a sweet-sounding song but with a dark lyric, and I like that." So do we.
"Beautiful Disaster"
We can all relate to wanting someone who isn't good for us, and Clarkson sings about her inability to resist a certain "beautiful disaster" who refuses to change his bad boy ways. The live version, set to piano, appeared on Breakaway.
Michelle is the Culture & News Writer for OprahMag.com, where she writes about celebrities (she considers herself an expert on Beyoncé and Reese Witherspoon), plus the latest in pop-culture news, binge-worthy TV shows, and movies. The transplanted Southerner turned ambitious New Yorker lives her best life by listening to hip-hop and Pod Save America, watching The Office on repeat, quoting Oprah-isms, eating dessert before dinner, and avoiding avocado. Seriously, she doesn’t get the hype.
It should say, “Michelle is the former Culture & News Writer for Oprahmag.com...”
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